Global Animal Partnership Step 5+: Dairy

The GAP label program offers 6 levels of certification primarily for animal welfare. Animals are also not fed drugs on a routine basis at all levels. There is a big difference between GAP 1 and GAP 5+ levels. GAP 5 and 5+ require full time pasture access and robust animal welfare practices.

Requires Verification/Inspection

FoodPrint Label Criteria

Animal Feed Quality

Produced without industrial pesticides

Produced without synthetic fertilizer or sewage sludge fertilizers

All grass fed

Prohibits animal waste and byproduct

Restricts use of feed supplements

Prohibits GMOs

Drug Use

Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited

Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals

Environmental and Pasture Quality

Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required

Grown without synthetic or sewage sludge fertilizers

Grown without industrial pesticides

Biodiversity required in pasture

Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time

Animal Welfare and Living Conditions

Prohibits feedlots

Prohibits long term confinement

Prohibits electric prods*

Hygiene and manure management addressed

Pain relief for castration

Prohibits dehorning

Taildocking prohibited

Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times*